U9 Division Intramural Rules

1. The Field of Play• The field shall be clearly marked. A flagpost is placed at each corner.• Goal nets are required, and should be properly secured to the goalposts, crossbar, and the ground. No one is to hang from the nets.• All goals must be securely anchored. Referees must not allow the game to begin until this safety provision is complied with.

2. The Ball• U9 is to use a size 4 ball. The ball should be in good condition and properly inflated.

3. Number of Players & Substitutions• All players must be given equal playing time.• Each team consists of 6 players, one of whom is the goalkeeper. A minimum of 5 players is sufficient to begin a game. After the game has started, the minimum number of players on a team for the game to continue is 4.• Unlimited substitutions can be made with the referee’s consent prior to a throw-in (team in possession only), on a goal kick, after a goal, and at half time.• If the game is stopped to allow a substitution for an injured player, the other team may also substitute, on a one-for-one basis.• No substitution can be made without the referee’s consent.

4. Players’ Equipment• Equipment consist of a shirt, shorts, shin guards, stockings, and shoes. Shin guards must be worn (properly covered with stockings) when a player is on the playing field.• Goalkeepers must wear colors which distinguish them from other players, from each other, and from the referee.• Players may not wear jewelry. Earrings must be removed completely. Medical bracelets may be worn. • Players must tuck in their shirts.• Players with plaster casts or hard splints, even if padded, may not play.• Players will wear team shirts for all practices and games.

5. Coaches• Coaches are responsible for all players. Please make sure that all players are picked up after games and practices.• All coaches and players must shake hands at the end of the game.

6. Referees• All referees must be USSF certified, and should be older than the age group playing the game. Referees are assigned by the Norwood Youth Soccer Intramural Referee Coordinator.• Two assistant referees or linesmen may assist the referee subject to his or her needs.• At the U9 level, referees must keep score and hand in the score card after the game (at the snack shack).

7. Duration of Game• U9 games have 25-minute halves. • The referee is the official timekeeper. The referee may add time to compensate for obvious stalling, prolonged injury, or time lost for excessive substitution.

8. Start of Play• Coaches and referees should make every effort to start games on time. If a team has not arrived and taken the field ready to begin play by 15 minutes after the scheduled time, the late team shall forfeit the game.• The referee shall inspect the field, flags or markers, and goals to check that the conditions are safe for the game.• The referee shall check all players for proper equipment.• A coin flip decides which team will kick off. The loser of the coin flip kicks off the second half.• The game starts with each team in its own half of the field and the defending players at least 10 yards from the ball until it is kicked off (moved forward one full rotation).• A drop ball will restart the game after a temporary suspension of play from a cause not covered by the rules at the place where play was suspended.

9. Ball In and Out of Play• The ball is out of play when: (a) it has completely crossed a goal line or touch line, whether on the ground or in the air, or (b) the game has been stopped by the referee.

10. Method of Scoring• A goal is scored when there have been no infractions of the rules to disallow it and when, in the referee’s judgment, the entire ball has passed over the goal line, between the goal posts, and under the cross bar.

11. Offside Penalty• There is no offside penalty at the U9 level.

12. Indirect Free Kick• The referee indicates an indirect free kick by raising his or her arm above the head.• An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player, in the opinion of the referee, commits any of the following 3 offenses:• Plays in a dangerous manner (e.g., playing the ball while lying on the ground)• Impedes the progress of an opponent• Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his or her handsAn indirect free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his or her own penalty area, commits any of the following 4 offenses:• Takes more than 6 seconds while controlling the ball with his or her hands before releasing it• Touches the ball again with his or her hands after it has been released from his or her possession and has not touched another player• Touches the ball with his or her hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him or her by a teammate• Touches the ball with his or her hands after it has been thrown-in by a teammate and has not touched another player.

13. Direct Free Kick• A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following 10 offenses in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless, or using excessive force:• Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent.• Trips or attempts to trip an opponent.• Jumps at an opponent.• Charges an opponent.• Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent.• Pushes an opponent.• Tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the opponent before touching the ball.• Holds an opponent.• Spits at an opponent.• Handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his or her own penalty area).

14. Free Kick Procedures• For all free kicks, the kicker does not touch the ball a second time until another player has touched it.• If a direct kick is kicked directly into an opponent’s goal, a goal is awarded.• If an indirect kick is kicked directly into an opponent’s goal (i.e., without touching another player), a goal kick is awarded. • For all free kicks, the offending team must be at least 10 yards from the ball until it is kicked. The only exception is if the attacking team decides to “quick kick” before the defenders can position themselves.• An indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team in its opponent’s goal area is taken from the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the point nearest the foul.

15. The Penalty Kick• A penalty kick is awarded if any of the 10 offenses for which a direct kick is awarded is committed by a player inside his or her own penalty area, irrespective of the position of the ball, provided it is in play.• A goal may be scored directly from a penalty kick.• Additional time is allowed for a penalty kick to be taken at the end of each half or at the end of periods of extra time.• The ball is placed on the penalty mark—12 yards from the center of the goal.• The player taking the penalty kick identifies himself or herself to the referee.• The goalkeeper remains on his or her line, facing the kicker, between the goalposts, until the ball has been kicked.• The players other than the kicker are located inside the field of play, outside the penalty area, at least 10 yards from the penalty.• The referee does not signal for the penalty kick to be taken until the players have taken up position in accordance with the rules.• The referee decides when a penalty kick has been completed. • The player taking the penalty kicks the ball forward. He or she may not play the ball again until it has touched another player.

16. Throw-In• A throw-in is a method of restarting play.• A goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in.• A throw-in is awarded:• When the whole ball passes over the touch line, either on the ground or in the air• From the point where it crosses the touch line• To the opponents of the player who last touched the ball• At the moment of delivering the ball, the thrower (a) faces the field of play, (b) has part of each foot either on the touch line or on the ground outside the touch line, (c) uses both hands, and (d) delivers the ball from behind and over the head.• The thrower may not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.• The ball is in play immediately as it enters the field of play.

17. Goal Kick• When the ball has completely crossed the goal line (but does not score a goal) after being last touched by a player from the attacking team, it is put back into play with a direct kick taken by a player of the defending team from any point within the goal area. • The ball must leave the penalty area to be in play.

18. Corner Kick• When the ball has completely crossed the goal line (but does not score a goal) after being touched by a player from the defending team, it is put back into play with a direct kick taken by a player of the attacking team from the corner of the field nearest to where the ball went out of play. • The corner markers must not be moved and the whole ball must be placed on the corner.